Fluid meter



Filed Feb. 5, 1936 e. A.'PETROE FLUID METER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l l l l l llllllllm INVENTQR vfeyor/f efi'ce TORNEY Jan. 11, 1938'. a A PETROE 2,105,127

r FLUIDYMETER Filed Feb. 5, 19 56 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Greyo y Pei/0e ATTORN EY$ Patented Jan. 11, 1938 v await: i-L man Application February 5, iosasi No. 62,43?

2 s.. ((31. iii-205) This invention relates to the measurement of the rate of flow or volume of a fluid, and has for its object certain improvements in apparatus for eifecting such measurement.

The rate of flow of fluids (gases, vapors and liquids) as determined by orifices, Venturi meters, flow meters, etc., depends on a difference in head expressed in feet of the fluid flowing. This diflerence in head, commonly called diflerential head, is usually measured as the difference of two pressures, or pressure drop, obtained by the use ofa differential gauge or manometer, such as a vertically placed U-shaped tube, partially filled with a suitable liquid (or two liquids immiscible 315 with one another and) immiscible with the fluid flowing and of higher specific gravity. The difference in head expressed in feet of liquid under measurement may be determined by the following formula: v

in which h=the difierential head expressed in feet of 25 the liquid under measurement Vi=the velocity at the up-stream side of the orifice Vz=the velocity at the downstream side of the orifice P1=pressure at the up-stream side of the oriflce Pz =pressure at the down-stream side of the orifice V d=density of the liquid under measurement A common method of determining the rate of 35 flow of gases, vapors and liquids through a pipe is to measure the pressure drop caused by the insertion of a sharply restricted opening or orifice of known size into the pipe. This may-.be

accomplished by usinga manometer, such as the U-tube type, one arm of which connects with the pipe in the up-stream side of the orifice, and the other arm of which connects with the pipe in the' termined value by controlling automatically the diflerence in head producedby'the' rate of flow of the liquid through the restricted oriflce, or even to decrease or increase the rate of fluid flow to a different desired value. Inthe latter case, however, the rate of fluid flow cannot be in- 5 creased beyond that permitted by the pressure in the up-stream side of the restricted orifice. As the level of the high specific gravity liquid in the manometer rises in the'down-stream arm of the manometer, it raises a float in a recorder and 0 controller device, which is connected to and therefore also moves a diflerential. pen shaft. The pen shaftm'ovement is proportionate to the rise of the float, or to the diiference inpressure between the opposite sides of the restricted oriflee. The movement of the shaft is then suitably employed to cause a proportionate movement of a control valve which thus automatically regulates the amount of fluid flowing through the pipe.

It is customary to connect the up-stream side of the restricted orifice in the pipe with the upstream arm of the manometer, and the downstream side of the orifice with the down-stream arm of the manometer, usually by means of a 5 .small diameter copper tubing. The manometer and pipe are thereby placed in open communication with one another, and the diiferential pressure may be readily noted. Mercury is frequently used as the high specific gravity liquid 6 r in the manometer. This means that some of the fluid that is to be and is passed through the restrlcted orifice comes in contact with the mercury, or other high gravity liquid, employed hf' the manometer. In many cases this contact is not objectionable, because 'no reaction takes place between the manometer liquid and the flowing fluid to be measured and regulated. In some would be encountered in the recorder and controller device. It is standard practice in some applications to install sealing liquid of water or oil over jthe mercury in order to prevent contamination of the mercury. The same objection,

however, is advanced to the use of a sealing liquid as we know of no sealing liquid which can be used and wiilnot be affectedby contact with the chlorine gas forming waxy or corrosive compounds, which would impair the operation of the meter.

As a result of my investigations I have discovered improvements in apparatus which overcome the difliculties just enumerated, and, according to my invention, advantage is taken of the principles of the manometer, but the flowing fluid, the 'rate and volume of which are to be measured, does not come in contact with the liquid or liquids employed in the manometer. The manometer itself and its associated devices may be operated in substantially the same manner, but in combination with my improvements.

According to the present invention, a secondary device is employed in conjunction with the usual manometer. This device consists generally of a pair of diaphragm housings, each of which is divided into two non-communicating chambers by means of a thin diaphragm, for

example, silver or any other corrosion resistant material suitable for the work. A diaphragm.

chamber of each housing connects with a separate arm of a manometer. The other chambers of the two housings connect with opposite sides, respectively, of an orifice structure.

The manometer and secondary device just described may also advantageously be employed in conjunction with a suitable device for recording purposes. In this manner, the rate of flow, or a measure thereof, of fluid flowing through a restricted orifice may be measured and recorded.

These and other features of the invention will be better understood if reference is made to the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the following description, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section of a manometer and a secondary device connected to a pipe, illustrative of a practice of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a modified form of diaphragm housing; and

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a manometer and secondary device hook-up inconjunction with a recorder and controller mechanism, also illustrative of a practice of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, a manometer ID, of the conventional U-shaped type, is shown provided with an up-stream' arm II and a down-streamarm l2, and a purge connection l3 at the bottom thereof. An orlflce meter scale It is suitably positioned directly behind the manometer arms. The up-stream arm communicates with an upstream diaphragm housing l5 by means of a conduit IS. The down-stream arm communicates with a down-stream diaphragm housing I! by means of a conduit l8. A valved conduit l9 communicates with conduits I6 and I8 and thus places the tops of the manometer arms in intercommunication with one another, if desired.

The up-stream diaphragm housing I5 is subdivided into two non-communicating chambers 20 and 2| by means of a thin diaphragm 22. The lower diaphragm chamber 20 communicates with the up-stream manometer arm II by means of conduit [6. The down-stream housing I1 is similarly subdivided 'into a lower diaphragm chamber 23 and an upper diaphragm chamber 24 by means of a thin diaphragm 25. The lower diaphragm chamber 23 communicates with the down-stream manometer arm I2 by means of c'onduit l0. Each diaphragm housing advantageously consists of a lower shell 26 and an upper shell 21 provided with flanges 28 and 23, respectively. The rim of the diaphragm is placed between the flanges, after which the flanges may be drawn tightly toward one another by means of bolts, screws, or the like.

Fig. 2 shows a modified form of housing construction, in which the thin diaphragm 30 is of the bellows type. The diaphragms are advantageously constructed of thin silver, or other suitable metal, or metal alloy.

Again referring to Fig. 1, a pipe 3| is shown for the passage of fluid therethrough. The pipe is provided with a thin disc 32 having a small or restricted orifice 33. The disc is held in place by flanges 34 and 35. A tube 36 connects the upstream side of the restricted orifice, through the flange 35, with the upper diaphragm chamber 2| in the up-stream diaphragm housing 15. A similar tube 31 connects the down-stream side of the restricted orifice, through flange 34, to the upper diaphragm chamber 24 of the down-stream diaphragm housing IT.

The manometer arms, their connecting conduits i6 and I8, and communicating diaphragm chambers 20 and 23 are completely filled with two immiscible liquids 38 and 39 of different speciflc gravities with sufficient color difierences, so that a reading is possible at the meniscus of the heavier liquid 39. The heavier liquid of course settles at the bottom of the manometer, while the lighter liquid fills the remainder of the ma- .nometer arms, their connecting conduits and the lower diaphragm chambers. The thin diaphragms 22 and 25 are in this manner supported upon a hydraulic cushion. The twov immiscible difierent specific gravity manometer liquids may for example consist of such combinations as (l) mercury and water, (2) oil and water, 3) dyed carbon tetrachloride and water, etc. When it is desired, however, to operate a standard form of meter which depends for its operation upon the ability of the manometer liquid to raise or lower a float, it is necessary to use a liquid, such as mercury, with sufficient density to impart buoyancy to the float.

Referring to Fig. 3, the apparatus just described, in essential details at least, is shown employed in conjunction with a recorder and controller instrument 40. The up-stream side of the pipe 3| is shown provided with a shut-off valve 4|. This valve is advantageously of the motor operated type, and as shown consists of a pressure regulating valve in combination with a diaphragm shut-off motor 42. A pressure reducing valve in combination with a spring motor (for example, as disclosed in my Patent 2,026,704) may also be employed. The down-stream side of the pipe 3| is provided with a diaphragm control valve 43 which may be of the same type as that shown in the patent just referred to.

The manometer I0 is in this modification provided with a. heavy liquid chamber 44 in the down-stream arm l2. This chamber is in turn provided. with a float 45 connected by appropriate linkage 46 to a difl'erential pen shaft 41. The movement of the differential pen shaft is proportionate to the rise or to the difference in pressure between the down-stream and up-stream sides of the restricted orifice, and appropriate record of such movements is made by the pen on chart diaphragm shut-oi! motor 42. A tube 53 connects tube 52 to-avalve lit, preferably equipped with a strainer. 'A tube 55 connects valve 54 with a fixed throttling orifice device 56. Another tube A program clock or'time cycle controller 63,

' provided with a fixed cam 64, connects the 3-way solenoid operated valve 50 and 66.

The apparatus shown may be operated as follows: Referring to Fig. 1, fluid 6'! (chlorine gas, for example) flowing through the pipe 3! fills tubes 36 and 31 and the two upper diaphragm by means of leads B5 chambers 2i and 24. If the pressure of the fluid L is the same on diaphragms 22 and 25, the heavy gravity liquid 39 tends tolevel itself to give the sam menisc'us reading in each arm of the manometer. In practice, however, there will be a difference in the meniscus levels, which diflerence may be noted from the orifice meter scale M. The meniscus in the upstream arm ii of the manometer will usually be lower than that in the down-stream arm i2, because the pressure of the fluid to be measured on the up-stream diaphragm 22 isgreater thanthe pressure of the fluid on the down-stream diaphragm 25. The pressure impulses of the fluid are transmitted, first, through the diaphragms, second; to and through the lighter gravity liquid 38 which hydraulically supports the diaphragms, and third,

to the heavier gravity liquid 39. If the fluid W flows through the pipe 3!! at a constant rate '(volume), the orifice meter scale It will indicate a certain differential, A change in differential on. the scale then indicates a change in the rate of flow of the fluid. Thus, if the rate of flow er the fluid increases, the pressure of the fluid in the up-stre'am' chamber ti on diaphragm 22 increases and the differential increases. As the differential increases, the meniscus of the heavy gravity liquid 39 in the lip-stream manometer arm ll 'falls, and the meniscus in the downstream manometer arm it rises. Pressure of the fluid in the down-stream chamber 2% on diaphragm 25 is correspondingly lessened. The difference between the pressure on the, upstream side and the pressure on the down-stream side of the restricted orifice 33 is at'once readable from the scale id, as an increase in diilerential.

If, on the other hand, the rate of flow 'of the fluid 67 through the pipe 3| decreases, the pressure of the fluid in the up-stream chamber M on diaphragm 22 is lessened, and the diiferential decreases. meniscus oi the heavy gravity liquid 39 in the up-stream arm H rises, and themeniscus in the down-stream'arm i2 falls. Pressure of the fluid in the down-stream chamber 24 on diaphragm 25 is correspondingly increased. The difference between the pressure on the up-stream side and the pressure on the'down-stream side of the restricted orifice 33 is indicated on scale M as a decrease in differential.

' The thin diaphragms 22 and 25 must always be As the differential decreases, the

the lightergravity liquid 38; and is assembled with allair or gas excluded from the device, be- .cause air 'or gas, being an elastic body, would ter liquid. In this manner, it may be determined whether or not the flow of fluid takes place at a predetermined maximum rate, as in the case of differential manometers heretofore employed in which the fluid does comein contact with the manometer liquid:

With regard to the apparatus shown in Fig.3, the manometer and secondary device are similarly employed. An automatic recorder, however, is substituted for thescale M, and a controller is employed automatically to regulate the flow of fluid fill through pipe ti, up-stream branch 3l--u and down-stream branch tI-d, so as to cause it to flow at a predetermined maximum rate. Operation of this i apparatus is started by depressing a push button on the time cycle controller 63, which energizes th solenoid located in the 3-way solenoid operated valve 50. This valve opens so as to admit air pressure to the discharge of the valve. The high pressure side of the air discharge -is carried to the diaphragm of stop motor M, and the motor is set in operation. u The motor in turn opens stop valve M.

Chlorine gas is then admitted through pipe ti, valve-M, up-stream approach-pipe 3i-.-'u, orifice 33, down-stream discharge pipe iii-d and control valve d3. 7

Q When air is admitted through pressure reducing valve 55 and throttling orifice E6 to tubes 57 and 5t, control nozzle 59 is in a closed position due to the fact that diiferential pen shaft M is located at zero position. Air pressure is therefore directed through tube 5'! to the'diaphragm i;

of control valve d3 until such time as the correct rate of chlorine flow through pipe M is established and the differential across the thin plate restricted orifice 33 is such that the differential pen shaft M is carried to its established operating position. When this occurs, flapper 60 is pivotally swung away from nozzle 59 so as to permit the required air leakage necessary to establish the correct rate of flow. When the time interval is passed which has been established as necessary 'to deliver the quantity of chlorine required, fixed cam St in the time cycle controller 63 opens the electrical circuit to the 3-way solenoid operated valve 50 andthe air control pressure is discharged through air vent 5i.

A I claim: I

. 1. In a fluid flow measuring device, a differential manometer having two communicating arms, a pair of housings, a self-sustaining diaphragm of thin flat metal which is resistant to the action of chlorine extending transversely communicating respectively with opposite sides of said differential pressure-creating means, two

immiscible liquids of diflerent densities completely filling the manometer and the chambers communicating therewith, whereby any change of pressure on either side' of the difierential-pressure-creating means will cause pressure to be transmitted directly and positively through the diaphragm in one chamber and said liquids to the diaphragm in the other chamber, said liquids having characteristics such that the line of demarcation between one liquid and the other is readily discernible;

2. In a fiuid-flow measuring device, a differential manometer having two communicating arms, a pair of housings, a self-sustaining diaphragm of thin fiat metal which is resistant to the action of chlorine extending transversely across each of said housings and dividing each of them into two non-communicating chambers, one manometer arm communicating with one chamber in one housing and the other manometer arm communicating with one chamber in the other housing, a difierential pressure-creating means, the other chambers of said housings communicating respectively with opposite sides of said differential pressure-creating means, two immiscible liquids of different densities complete- 1y filling the manometer and its communicating GREGORY A. PE'I'ROE. 

